Frequently Asked Questions
Inquiring students
How do I get more information about Asbury Seminary?
You can be added to our mailing list here or call 1.800.2ASBURY.
Where do I get an application?
Apply online or a hard copy of the application is available through the admissions office.
Where can I see a list of degrees?
See a complete list of degrees.
Where can I review a degree plan for each program of study?
The degree plan information can be found on each degree page.
Application fee
What does the application process involve?
The application process consists of:
- $50 non-refundable application fee
- 4 personal references (we require 1 pastoral reference)
- Official academic transcripts from each school where you have received postsecondary academic credit
- 3 to 4 page personal history essay
- Background check (conducted by the Asbury Seminary admissions office)
How do I pay the application fee?
The fee can be paid by personal check made out to Asbury Seminary. It can also be paid over the phone using a credit/debit card by calling our business office at 859.858.2286. You will also receive an email from our records manager the morning after your application is processed with an electronic link to pay the fee online.
Can you waive the application fee?
No. The fee cannot be waived. It is used to cover the cost of the mandatory background check that we run with each application.
What if I just had a background check run? Can I use that?
No. In an effort to be consistent, everyone who applies to Asbury Seminary will undergo the same background check procedure.
What if the background check discloses information that I did not state on the initial application?
If a background check does produce results, we will contact you. Although we are not able to disclose the results to you, we can provide you with the agency contact information so that you can discuss the results with them. We encourage you to write a letter to the admissions committee outlining the details of the results and attaching any explanation you would like to provide.
Reference form
How do I get the reference forms?
You will receive an email from our records manager the morning after your application is processed that will contain a link to the electronic reference page. This email will also contain your "Prospective ID" and "Pass Code" information. This email can be forwarded to your references, who can complete the forms online. If you need a hard copy of the reference form, you may print copies from our website or submit a request to the admissions office.
What do my references need to say?
The reference form outlines the questions each reference needs to answer regarding the applicant.
What kind of references should I get?
We require that one reference comes from a pastor or minister. The other three references can come from any number of sources, including, but not limited to, professor, co-worker, lay person, ministry supervisor, friend, employer or other.
What if I don't know the pastor of the church I attend?
The reference can come from anyone who is in a full-time ministry position. We accept references from student ministers, youth ministers, assistant pastors, executive pastors, etc. If you have questions, just ask!
Transcripts
How do I get "official" academic transcripts sent to Asbury Seminary?
You must request your transcripts from the registrar's office at each school you have attended. In order for a transcript to be an official copy, it must come in a sealed envelope directly from the school.
What if I already have a copy of the transcript?
It will be considered unofficial and we will not accept it. You may always send it in, but it will not be figured, and it will not count as an official copy.
What if I don't graduate until next year or next semester?
Many of our applicants have not completed their undergraduate degrees. You can be admitted on a "provisional" basis with your current undergraduate transcripts. Once your degree is conferred and we receive an official transcript verifying the completion, we will change your status from "provisional" to "good." Students have one full academic year to submit their final transcript.
What if I only took one class at another school? Do I still need a transcript?
Please contact the admissions office at 1.800.2ASBURY or admissions.office@asburyseminary.eduabout which transcripts are needed. Different degree programs have different requirements.
Can I send you a student copy of a transcript?
No. We need an official copy of the transcript from the institution itself.
Can I fax you a copy of a transcript?
No. We need an official copy of the transcript from the institution itself.
Do you accept a bachelor’s degree from a non-accredited institution?
No. You need a degree from an accredited institution. The exception is if you have taken at least one year of course work (30 semester hours) at an accredited institution.
Personal history
What goes in the personal history essay?
An outline of questions that we ask you to address in the essay is available on the admission application itself. You can also request a copy of the outline from the admissions office.
How long does it need to be?
The essay should be no longer than 1250 words.
Who reads the essay?
The essay is a way for us to get to know the applicant better through the application process. The essay will not be read or graded by faculty members. Your admission materials will be reviewed by the admissions committee, including your personal history, once your application is complete.
Financial aid
What is the cost of tuition?
Tuition is $462 per credit hour for on campus classes and $512 per credit hour for online classes. Post-graduate courses are $497 per credit hour.
Do you offer any scholarships?
Scholarships are awarded individually based on academic performance, denominational affiliation, etc. These awards are outlined in the back of the catalog.
How do you apply for scholarships?
The financial aid application is sent to all admitted students and will allow you to be considered for all of the scholarships that apply.
Where else can I get financial aid?
Many students get government loans and can qualify for these by filling out a FAFSA form. Many students receive help from their churches and denominations.
What is the deadline for financial aid applications?
Please check the financial aid section for all current deadlines.
General application
How do I know if you have received my transcripts, references, etc.?
We will keep you updated throughout the application process through letters, emails and phone calls. We welcome your email and phone call inquiries at any time during this process if you have a question about a specific piece of your application.
Who will be working with my file?
You will be assigned to one of our admissions counselors depending on your geographic location. Your counselor will be working with you throughout the application process.
For how long is my acceptance valid?
Admitted students may defer their acceptance for up to one full year from their date of acceptance. After that date, we would require that the students complete a shorter re-application process.
Who needs to re-apply?
- Admitted students who have deferred for more than one year
- Former students who have not enrolled in the last academic year
- Current students who are wanting to add a second degree
What is the re-application process?
The re-application process consists of:
- $50 non-refundable application fee
- 2 new personal references
- Any new transcripts from academic credit issued since the student last applied to Asbury Seminary
- A brief update personal history outlining why they are re-applying at this time
Who do I need to contact regarding financial aid?
Admissions and financial aid are separate offices. Each applicant will be assigned a financial aid advisor upon acceptance. Your financial aid advisor will work with you upon acceptance to complete the scholarship and financial aid applications. If you have general financial aid questions before that time, you reach financial aid by calling 1.800.2ASBURY and requesting that office.
Who do I need to contact regarding registration?
You will begin working with the registrar’s office once you have confirmed your intent to enroll through the payment of the $100 matriculation deposit. Each confirmed student will be assigned an academic advisor who will assist with course selection and general degree planning.
How do I discontinue/cancel my application?
You can discontinue/cancel your application at any time by contacting a member of the admissions team and informing them of your decision.
Exams
How do I schedule my TOEFL exam?
You can schedule your exam online at www.ets.org/toefl or by calling 1.800.GO.TOEFL. Our school code for this exam is 1020.
What score do I need to get on the TOEFL exam?
For masters level degrees and Doctor of Ministry, a 550 is required. For Master of Theology and Doctor of Missiology, a 575 is required. For Doctor of Philosophy, a 600 is required.
Can an international student have the TOEFL exam waived?
Only those who are applying for the master’s level programs who have received a degree from an English institution can request to have the TOEFL waived. The request can be denied.
How do I schedule my Millers Analogy Test?
You can schedule your test at www.milleranalogies.com or by calling 1.800.622.3231. Our school code for this test is 1170.
How do I schedule my General Records Exam?
You can schedule your GRE at www.ets.org/gre or by calling 1.800.GRE.CALL. Our school code for this test is 1020.
Admitted Students
What are the different types of acceptance?
- Good standing: All final transcripts received and GPA meets requirement for intended degree
- Provisional: Unofficial transcripts/incomplete course work and GPA meets requirement for intended degree
- Reduced load: All final transcripts received, but GPA is below the requirement for intended degree
- Probational: All final transcripts received, but GPA is below 2.5 (must be admitted by committee)
What is the matriculation deposit?
The matriculation deposit confirms your intent to enroll at Asbury Seminary. It is used to create your student account that enables you to register. It is a deposit and will remain in your student account until your first bill is issued. This deposit is non-refundable.
How do I pay the matriculation deposit?
The deposit can be paid by personal check made out to Asbury Seminary. It can also be paid over the phone using a credit/debit card by calling our business office at 859.858.2286.
What is the deadline for the deposit?
There is not a deadline for the deposit. Students should submit the deposit once they have made a decision to attend Asbury Seminary, so they can begin the registration process.
Confirmed students
Now that I have confirmed my intent to enroll at Asbury Seminary, what’s the next step?
Now that you have paid your matriculation deposit your file is ready to be sent to the registrar’s office once registration for your term opens. At that time you will be assigned an academic advisor who will help you to complete the registration process.
Extended Learning
Will I have to be online at specific times?
Occasionally professors may require students to be online at the same time. However, most course interaction takes place asynchronously.
How do ExL courses compare to on-campus courses?
Course content is comparable to on-campus courses. However, ExL courses require considerable online discussion and collaboration with your peers.
What kind of support can I expect to receive?
In addition to the support you will receive from your peers and your professor, the ExL program provides technical and administrative support. Assistance with library resources is also available.
How much of a degree can be earned online?
Currently, the accreditation board allows us to offer up to two-thirds (64 hours) of a Master of Divinity degree via online courses. For all 60-hour Master of Arts degrees offered at Asbury Seminary, up to one half (30 hours) of the degree may be earned online.
How do I earn the required on-campus hours?
ExL students may take courses on the Kentucky or Florida campuses at any time. Intensive courses are available at either of these campuses in January, June, July and August. Check the course scheduling page for upcoming classes and their respective dates and times.
Can I alternate between ExL classes and on-campus classes?
Yes. ExL courses may be taken concurrently with on-campus classes (not exceeding a total of 12 hours per semester or 4 hours per summer session).
Are ExL courses transferable to other institutions?
ExL courses are fully accredited. The content and required work of these courses is equivalent to courses taught on campus, making ExL courses as transferable as on-campus courses. All transfers of credit, however, depend on the requirements of the receiving institution. Be sure to check with the institution to which you plan to transfer.
Are intensive courses offered via ExL?
No, due to the highly interactive nature of ExL courses.
May I audit an ExL course?
No. ExL courses are not offered for auditing purposes.
How can I transfer credits from another institution?
Transfer credit is not evaluated until after you are fully admitted to Asbury Seminary. To request transfer credit, send copies of course syllabi and descriptions to the Registrar, who will submit these to the School of Theology for review. (Please note that United Methodist Course of Study classes and life experience are not accepted for academic credit.)
Do transfer credits count as on-campus hours?
No. Required on-campus hours must be completed on the Kentucky or Florida campus. Classes transferred from other schools may reduce the number of hours that may be taken online.
Are doctoral classes offered online?
Doctoral classes are not currently offered online in the ExL program.
